Work Text:
When you know, you know
When you know, you know
It kinda makes me laugh, runnin' down that path
When you're good as gold
Lucy asks for that ring but she doesn’t get it for a while.
It’s not because Tim has changed his mind. Fuck no. He would have done it the moment she said the words if he didn’t want to be just a bit romantic about it. It has to be special to mark the milestone they’re hitting. It has to be a moment they treasure in the future, another story for the grandkids. They’re doing this whole family thing backwards because of his sheer stupidity as it is. If he had asked for help instead of crashing out they’d be in a different stage of their relationship now. Anyway, his therapist tells him it’s not wise to linger on things that already happened and you can’t change. No matter how much he wants to.
Tim is trying to figure out the best way to do it. He knows a public setting like a restaurant is not something either of them would like. In front of their friends and family is also out of the question. As much as Tim loves them he wants this moment to be only theirs. He’s sure Angela has an amazing party already planned for after, they can share that as a memory. He contemplates a weekend away. Maybe a hike. A paintball game is also considered but Lucy is well into her second trimester so the idea is dropped.
Tim thinks in circles for weeks trying to find the perfect place. Somewhere special for both of them. Somewhere where they’ve shared a lot of memories. The possibilities are too many and it takes him by surprise. When he really lists all the places he’s in awe of how Lucy has wormed her way into his life. Even way before they were a couple. They share favourite parks, coffee shops, and places to eat. How she was always happy to follow him into new experiences and he was willing to do the same. Step out of his comfort zone and try things she liked at least once before he said no. It shows a lot how much he’s changed for the better because pre-Lucy Tim Bradford stuck to his guns no matter what.
“My feet are killing me,” He watches as Lucy waddles her way to him. At five months their daughter has finally made her presence known to the outside world. Tim cannot get enough of looking at Lucy, at the way her expressions have gotten even softer somehow. Of how her body changes to nurture and grow their baby. Sure, they could have done this a bit less painlessly but Tim wouldn’t have it any other way. They have each other back and that’s all that counts.
“I want to say you need to take it easy and sit down a bit,” He starts and Lucy fixes him with a dark look. “But my self-preservation tells me the right answer is, I’m happy to give you a foot rub when we get home.” He smiles as Lucy stops in front of him, the fabric of her sundress falling over her belly and making it more noticeable. His hands reach out on their own accord, gently cupping the taut skin.
“You self-preservation is right,” She hums, the fingers of her right hand slipping into his hair. Her left dropping on top of his on her belly as he kisses the place their baby is resting. “Jokes aside, though,” She continues. “I might actually listen to Grey and ride the desk. Sitting so many hours in the shop is hell with the added pressure to my bladder.” Grey had tried to tell her she needs to move to desk duty. She’s growing bigger by the day and her response times are not the same they used to be. However, no one can tell Lucy Chen what to do. Not even her Watch Commander. Tim knows, though, that the only reason Grey is being so gentle with her is because he has a soft spot for Lucy. He has all the power to order her to retire from patrol, the only reason he’s asking is because he loves her as much as he loves his daughter.
“Whatever makes you happier, Lu,” He shrugs, finally looking at her and it hits him like a ton of bricks. They’re at the public parking lot of the station once more. The place where they teased each other mercilessly through their friendship years. The place where he first asked her out. The place where he broke them up because he’s an idiot. The place where he pined after her for weeks until she took him back.
“A nice bath and a veggie burger with extra pickles would make me extremely happy right now,” She teases, unaware of his thoughts. Lucy pulls at his hands and Tim stands up from the bench he’s been occupying while she changed out. She tries to move towards the truck but Tim pulls her back.
At the end of the day there’s only one that truly makes sense for him to ask her.
“Hey, Lu,” He calls and she looks at him curiously. “Do you want to marry me?” He pulls the ring from his jacket pocket and drops to one knee. Lucy’s mouth forms a surprised ‘o’ as she takes his words in. “I’ve been trying to think of the best place to do this and nothing really clicked. Nothing until now. We’ve gone through major changes in our relationship here, in this very parking lot. The last one is no one’s favourite and I think we need a better story for the grandkids, anyway. What better place to start our next chapter than right here. So, will you marry me?” He asks reverently, almost afraid of the answer.
“You’re an idiot,” Lucy nods and Tim is thrown back to a different time she’d said the same words to him. Laughing, carefree and open as they fixed up his childhood home.
“I know,” He agrees, smiling. “But I’d like to be your idiot until my dying breath.” He watches as she laughs through her tears.
“Yes, Tim,” She finally answers, extending her hand to him. “I’d love for you to be my idiot until our dying breath too.” The ring slips onto her finger easily. The gold band of it matches the necklace he bought her almost a year ago, residing back around her neck since they got back together. There’s a tear shaped emerald sitting on top of the ring, surrounded by a gold halo. It’s beautiful and delicate just like Lucy. Tim had bought it the moment he saw it. Genny had teased him the entire day about it but Tim knew it was the one. Just like he knew Lucy would be the last woman he’d ever give his heart to.
He stands up, pulling her in his arms. Tim cups her cheek softly and dives in for a kiss. Slow and loving, trying to show her how much he loves her. Lucy just melts into him, trying to get as close as possible with her growing belly between them. “So,” He pants as they come up for air. “Veggie burgers with extra pickles and sparkling cider to celebrate?” He rests his forehead against hers.
“Yes, please,” Her smile matches his as she pulls him along towards his car.
Tim follows her willingly, to what he’s sure will be a happy future with her by his side.
Always her by his side.
'Cause when you know, you know
When you're old, you're old
Like Hollywood and me, the diamond on your ring
The soul that you bring to the table
One that makes me sing
In a minor key